Edward Fox Quotes

Force 10 from Navarone

Humorous Exchange About Unexpected Responsibilities

Weaver Now what the hell am I supposed to do with this?

[handed a pile of what looks suspiciously like dog poo]

Miller Oh, I don't know. Try and imagine you're a dog. Oh for heaven's sake! On the road, man, on the road!

Weaver I thought you were supposed to pick up dog shit, not spread it around.

[grumbling to himself]

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Force 10 from Navarone

Discussion of the Suitcase Contents

Maj. Schroeder Ah, tell me what has all this to do with that, uh, suitcase case you keep looking at?

Mallory Well, that suitcase is full of our penicillin.

Maj. Schroeder Oh, indeed. Perhaps I could see some of it?

Mallory Certainly, Major. Open it Miller.

Miller You can't do that here, sir. You'll ruin the lot. You know perfectly well that any contamination will destroy it. It's got to be opened under laboratory conditions.

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Never Say Never Again

Dietary Advice from M to Bond

M Too many free radicals. That's your problem.

James Bond Free radicals," sir?

M Yes. They're toxins that destroy the body and the brain, caused by eating too much red meat and white bread and too many dry martinis!

James Bond Then I shall cut out the white bread, sir.

M Oh, you'll do more than that, 007. From now on you will suffer a strict regimen of diet and exercise; we shall purge those toxins from you!

James Bond Shrublands?

M You got it!

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Force 10 from Navarone

Celebration of Success Amidst Challenges

Barnsby What happened to you?

Weaver He bit me in all the excitement. But damn it to hell, we did it, Colonel! We did it!

Barnsby Yes we did, Sergeant! Yes we did!

Miller And a merry Christmas!

Mallory Yes, gentlemen, we did it! But before we can start awarding ourselves Victoria Crosses and Congressional Medals of Honor and so on and so forth and such like... I think I'd better point out that one, we're now on the wrong side of the river. That two, we have no hope whatsoever of rejoining the partisans. That three, this neck of the woods will soon be crawling with very bad-tempered Germans. And that four, I don't think our little genius Sergeant Miller there has even got a box of matches left in his suitcase. And so I think we can take it, gentlemen, that we're going to have a very long walk home.

[chuckling]

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Force 10 from Navarone

Expert Opinions on Demolition Timing

Barnsby Now, look. Our experts have been studying that bridge for weeks, and they say it'll blow. I don't know where you learned your job, but I'm talking about the best construction engineers in the business!

Miller Yes. Well, they're probably experts at building things, whereas I'm an expert at blowing them up, and you can take it from me that one would need a good eight hours to make a decent job on that bridge.

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The Day of the Jackal

A Unique Opportunity with Lasting Consequences

The Jackal This is a once in a lifetime job. Whoever does it can never work again.

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Force 10 from Navarone

Discussing the Target of Their Mission

Mallory Miller, what would happen to the bridge if that central arch were suddenly hit by several million tons of water?

[thoughtfully]

Miller, Barnsby Water?

Mallory I think we've been talking about the wrong target. Remember that dam we passed by on the way up here?

Miller Dam? What sort of dam?

[suddenly all ears]

Barnsby It's just up the road, about half a mile that way.

Miller Well, my dear chap, why didn't you say so before? Oh, I could do a tremendous job on the dam! See, with the dam, you've got your natural elements working for you. It's like having an enormous bath - what have you got to do? Pull the plug!

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The Day of the Jackal

Patriotism and Professionalism in Assassination Planning

Lieutenant Colonel Marc Rodin We are not terrorists, you understand. We are patriots. Our duty is to the soldiers who've died fighting in Algeria, and to the three million French citizens who have always lived there.

The Jackal And so you want to get rid of him.

Col. Rodin Speaking as a professional, do you think it's possible?

[after a pause in which he, Commandant Montclair and Andre Casson look at each other]

The Jackal It's possible. The point is getting away with it. And speaking as a professional, that's a very important consideration.

[thinks; smokes his cigarette]

Commandant Rene Montclair But in principle, you'd say it could be done?

[The Jackal nods, takes his cigarette out of his mouth.]

The Jackal Yes...with enough time and planning. It would be much more difficult than most other targets.

[thoughtfully]

Andre Casson Why more?

The Jackal Because de Gaulle has the best security service in the world. Their information is first class. You see, gentlemen, not only have your own efforts failed, but you've rather queered the pitch for everyone else.

Casson How dare you suggest that?!

The Jackal In this work, you simply can't afford to be emotional. That's why you've made so many mistakes.

Col. Rodin But if we decided to employ a professional...

The Jackal You have to employ a professional. Your organization is so riddled with informants, that nothing you decide is a secret for long. No, the job would have to be done by an outsider. The only question, that is, by who, and how much.

[He stands up and goes over to the window]

Col. Rodin Will you do it?

The Jackal Yes.

[after a pause, while he smokes]

Montclair How much?

The Jackal You must understand that this is a once in a lifetime job. Whoever does it can never work again.

[seriously; he returns to the desk]

Montclair How much do you want?

The Jackal Half a million -

Montclair What?

[in disbelief; Rodin opens his mouth to protest but is stopped by the next dialogue]

The Jackal In cash. Half in advance, and half on completion.

[he gestures and nods]

Montclair Half a million francs?

The Jackal Dollars.

[Rodin, Montclair and Casson are in disbelief]

Montclair Are you mad?

[stands up, leans over the desk at the Jackal]

The Jackal Considering you expect to get France in return, I'd have thought it a reasonable price. If you can't manage it, then there's...nothing more to be said.

[awkwardly; he walks over to the bed and picks up his coat]

Rodin We accept.

The Jackal How many people know about this?

[after a pause]

Rodin Just the four of us.

The Jackal Let's keep it that way. This job depends on absolute secrecy. No notes must be kept. If any one of you is captured, I shall feel free to call it off. I suggest you go somewhere and remain there under heavy guard until the job is done. Agreed?

[He starts to walk back to the desk]

Rodin Agreed.

The Jackal The planning will be mine. No one else will get the details, and you will hear nothing from me again. This is the name and account number of my bank in Switzerland. When I receive word that the first $250,000 has been deposited, I'll move - provided I'm ready. But I'll not be hurried or interfered with in any way.

[takes a pen out of his inside jacket pocket; takes a piece of paper from the desk; He writes something on the paper during the next dialogue; Finishes writing and straightens up; Puts his pen back in his pocket]

Rodin Agreed.

[as Montclair and Casson look to him; He passes the piece of paper to Montclair]

The Jackal Now, all I want from you is a telephone number in Paris that I could call about changes in de Gaulle's plan. But the contact mustn't know who I am, or what this is about. Send me the phone number by mail.

[Rodin nods]

Montclair I'd like to know how you expect us to find half a million dollars so quickly.

The Jackal Use your network to rob some banks.

[He walks over to the beds. Rodin and Montclair are examining him]

Rodin One last thing. What codename will you use?

[He stands up and walks over to the Jackal, as Montclair and Casson join him]

The Jackal Why not "the Jackal"?

[Thinks for a moment]

Rodin Why not? There's nothing more you want from us? From now on, you'll be completely alone.

[Looks briefly at Montclair and Casson; The Jackal smiles and walks away to the door]

The Jackal Oh, not completely. One will have the cooperation of de Gaulle. Well, he won't listen to his security service, and he's not the sort of man to stay out of the public eye, is he?

[Steps away from the door; He looks from Rodin to Casson to Montclair; They all laugh as the Jackal opens the door, showing Kawalski outside]

Rodin A pleasant journey home, Mr... Mr Jackal.

[Shakes hands with the Jackal]

Force 10 from Navarone

Questioning Loyalty and Betrayal in War

Jensen I'm afraid it's not exactly a masterpiece... but I wonder if you can identify this fellow. Think back to Navarone.

[Handing Miller and Mallory a photograph; sees no sign that they recognize anyone in the picture]

Miller I'd rather not, sir.

Jensen Nicolai? Yes. Let you down a bit, didn't he?

Mallory But what about him? Andrea's people had him shot as a traitor, didn't they?

Jensen Yes, so we were told. In fact, he escaped. He wasn't a traitor. He was a German agent, who we believe is operating now in Yugoslavia with the Partisans, posing as one Captain Lescovar. Now, you both knew Nicolai. In fact, you're the only people we know of can make a positive identification. So I'd like you to go out there and cope.

Miller Cope, sir?

Mallory Kill him.

The Day of the Jackal

Discussion on Shooting Range and Conditions

The Gunsmith Over what range will you fire?

The Jackal I'm not sure yet but probably not more than 400 feet.

The Gunsmith Will the gentleman be moving?

The Jackal Stationary.

The Gunsmith Will you go for a head shot or a chest shot?

The Jackal Probably head.

The Gunsmith What about the chance of a second shot?

The Jackal Well I might get the chance but I doubt it. In any event I'll need a silencer to escape.

The Gunsmith In that case you'd better have explosive bullets. I can prepare a handful along with the gun.

The Jackal Glycerin or mercury?

The Gunsmith Oh mercury... much cleaner.

Force 10 from Navarone

Language Skills and Education Perspectives

Mallory I don't suppose they taught you German at that awful school of yours?

Miller What, instead of Latin? Heaven forbid, old boy.

Memorable Quotes from Edward Fox